Enter and View: Primrose Hill Nursing Home

Healthwatch Wolverhampton undertook an enter and view visit to the Primrose Hill Nursing Home in the Bushbury area of Wolverhampton. Split over three floors for up to 50 residents, it comprises three units, each designed to provide specialist care and support for those people living dementia, complex nursing needs and those people requiring end of life care and support.

The visit was part of Healthwatch Wolverhampton’s quality monitoring. Primrose Hill was made aware that there would be a visit by Healthwatch, but no specific date was given.

Key findings

• The overall impression of the home was positive. The home and staff members were all very welcoming. The Manager made herself available for the duration of the visit.
• Meals appeared good and a choice was offered. Staff were on hand to assist with meals and drinks. Residents can make their own drinks, supervised by a member of staff. Relatives can also have a meal if they visit during mealtimes. The menu was very small and hard to read.
• Staff morale seemed to be fine, with members of staff expressing that they are content with their employment and receive adequate training. Staff were happy to speak to Healthwatch.
• Interactions between staff and residents were observed to be meaningful and person-centred. But Healthwatch also witnessed a staff member being quite short with a resident who wanted to go out for a cigarette after a meal.
• There was one Activity Coordinator in post, and the home was in the process of employing a second. A schedule of activities planned for residents was displayed on a notice board. There seemed to be a range of activities suitable to needs.
• Healthwatch saw a resident trying several doors looking for their room, going into another resident’s room and causing distress to them.
• Healthwatch noticed clocks that were not displaying the correct time which could be disorienting.
• All areas were accessible with lifts between floors.
• Signs were small and there was only one resident’s room with their name on. Communal toilets were marked with words and pictures.
• The rooms we visited seemed sparse and not very homely, and we couldn’t see anywhere for visitors to sit.
• There was separate space to meet relatives or have a quiet space.